Marine Water Quality Monitoring Programme

The EQMP Marine Water Quality Monitoring Network

The monitoring of the nation’s marine waters in the EQMP comprises:

  • 10 Continuous Marine Water Quality Monitoring Stations (CMWQM)
  • 388 Manual Marine Water Quality Monitoring Stations (MMWQM)
  • 7 Rapid Response Teams (RRT) to be deployed to undertake investigative sampling or special study

The CMWQM network provides continuous marine water quality data which is transmitted to the Environmental Data Centre (EDC) on a scheduled basis. The network comprises monitoring stations that are located in waters that are prone to pollution, in particular from oil spillage and discharge as well algal bloom arising from excessive nutrient levels.

The CMWQM network provides continuous marine water quality data which is transmitted to the Environmental Data Centre (EDC) on a scheduled basis. The network comprises monitoring stations that are located in waters that are prone to pollution, in particular from oil spillage and discharge as well algal bloom arising from excessive nutrient levels.

  

In addition to general indicators of marine water quality, the parameters measured at the CMWQM stations are generally associated with the common pollution events that have and continue to occur at the near coastal waters of Malaysia.

Instrument For Marine Water Quality Monitoring


EXO2 multiparameter sonde for :-

  • Temperature
  • Potential of Hydrogen (pH)
  • Barometric Pressure
  • Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP)
  • Conductivity
  • Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
  • Salinity (derived from conductivity and temperature)
  • Rugged Dissolved Oxygen (RDO)
  • Turbidity
  • Total Suspended Solids (TSS) (derived from turbidity)

CTG Fluorometer UNILUX for:

  • Chlorophyll A
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon/Hydrocarbon
  • Coloured Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM)

Data from the CMWQM network is used to assess the marine water quality in general, in addition to providing a basis for establishing alerts levels indicating pollution events. Pre- determined alert levels allow for the timely recognition of potential pollution event that may compromise the integrity and well-being of sensitive receptors.

In addition to the appropriate mitigating measures that are activated at the waters concerned, such alerts also prompt the DoE, supported by PSTW field staff to identify the source of the pollution so that appropriate actions can be taken. To facilitate this crucial task, a comprehensive source inventory has been developed for each of the 10 CMWQM station.

The MMWQM network numbering 388 monitoring stations located at coastal, island and estuarine waters throughout the nation’s coastline, allows for the comprehensive assessment of the nation’s marine water quality.  Each of the station is monitored 6 times a year. At each station, in situ measurements are taken and water samples collected, preserved in the appropriate manner and sent to the Contact Laboratory to be analysed. In total, 28 water quality parameters are measured, comprising MWQI parameters, heavy metals, organic and inorganic chemicals as well as microbes.

The MMWQM network numbering 388 monitoring stations located at coastal, island and estuarine waters throughout the nation’s coastline, allows for the comprehensive assessment of the nation’s marine water quality.  Each of the station is monitored 6 times a year. At each station, in situ measurements are taken and water samples collected, preserved in the appropriate manner and sent to the Contact Laboratory to be analysed. In total, 28 water quality parameters are measured, comprising MWQI parameters, heavy metals, organic and inorganic chemicals as well as microbes.

In addition to conducting the monitoring works at the designated MMWQM stations, our team of field technicians are also tasked to recognise pollution incidents based on clearly defined indicator observations well as in situ measurements. When such events are recorded, a Notification of Pollution Event (NPE) is reported to the DoE for further investigation and subsequent follow-up action

The RRT, equipped with all the marine water quality monitoring paraphernalia, including the ability to deploy continuous monitoring systems are brought into action upon instruction by the DoE. Such instructions are prompted by the reports of pollution incidents. In addition, the RRT may also be deployed to undertake special studies usually associated with water pollution

As with other scopes of works in the EQMP, the RRT adheres to a clearly defined SOP that also require close collaboration with State DoE officers and other relevant agencies. The ultimate goal of the team is to generate sufficient and appropriate data to allow for i) the identification of the cause or source of the incident, ii) the identification of the nature, temporal and spatial extent of the impact of the incident and iii) recommendations of mitigating and preventive measures.